Kiev (or Kyiv) is the capital and largest city of Ukraine, and an important industrial, scientific, educational, and cultural center of Eastern Europe.

Kiev is known for its beautiful religious architecture, reflecting its heritage as a holy center for Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The Saint Sophia Cathedral and Kiev Pechersk Lavra (Monastery of the Caves), together listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, each feature gold-domed churches and are significant religious and historical sites. Kiev’s history goes back at least 1,400 years and it is now a city where old and new coexist, with a large range of museums (including a History of Toilets museum).

The city has changed significantly since Ukraine gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, with new Western-style residential complexes, classy restaurants and modern nightclubs opening in the city center. As well as its noted architectural and historical landmarks, Kiev is considered one of the greenest cities in Europe, with two botanical gardens and various large and small parks.

Kiev also has a diverse cultural scene and nightlife, with an impressive range of theaters to suit all tastes, plus cinemas and exhibition centers. As one student, commenting in our student survey, told us: “It's a big city and you can find a lot of things to do here. As it's the capital of Ukraine, it's the center of cultural, sport and art events.”

The city is ranked 20th in the affordability category of the Best Student Cities index, with much lower living costs than many other European cities. English-taught courses are available, but you’ll still need to practice your Ukrainian in order to navigate daily life in the city!

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The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.

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